towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, always behind
mid-division on outside, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out until inside final furlong, faded
mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, ridden to chase leader when hampered inside final furlong, beaten after
in rear, well beaten final 3f
mid-division, clipped heels, stumbled and unseated rider just over 4f out
in touch, pressing leaders over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, looking for room over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong but no impression
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out until switched left approaching final furlong, soon quickened, led well inside final furlong, ran on well
led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, not pace of winner
in touch, raced keenly, pushed along 3f out, gradually lost place when not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, eased
towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, hung right over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but never dangerous
prominent, not much room from over 1f out until well inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
WILLOW DANCER tends to come good at this time of year and Walter Swinburn's gelding is preferred to Mull Of Killough, Mister Dee Bee and course specialist Eastern Empire. The selection has been dropped 2lb for his recent effort behind Acrostic at Sandown, and although that still leaves him 5lb higher than his best winning mark, he should still be very competitive. Two runs this season should have put him spot on for this assignment and he should put up a bold display at a decent price. Bencoolen is receiving little respite from the handicapper, Mujood continues to hold his form well and has won here before, a comment that also applies to Eastern Empire who found the Britannia too hot to handle last time out at Ascot. Mull Of Killough is a progressive three-year-old and losing to Firebet at Nottingham was no disgrace; that form has already been boosted but could be given another shot in the arm in the 2.45 race. Bold Cross is consistent at a lower level but deserves this step up in class, as do I Confess and Mount Hadley and Sunnyside Tom who are linked on a Carlisle run last time. Sohcahtoa hasn't been able to get his angles right so far this year, Mister Dee Bee drops back in trip and still looks to be competitive, whilst Marajaa has run well here before. Wellington Square should appreciate the step back up in trip, More Time Tim is better on the all-weather, whilst Ryan Moore teams up with The Which Doctor again, a move that has proved successful in the past. As tricky a handicap as you're likely to find however it is Willow Dancer who looks to have all the moves.
Ellemujie 16-1 (8-12) Raced alone on outside first 2f, mid-division, pushed along 3f out, faded final furlong, 10th of 16, 8l behind Acrostic (9-0) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd.
Woodcote Place 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Big Noise (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Bencoolen (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Held up in rear, 8th and ridden straight, never a factor, 7th of 9, 9l behind Tartan Gigha (8-7) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Willow Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) In touch, not much room 2f out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression on leaders, 9th of 16, 8l behind Acrostic (9-0) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd.
Mujood 25-1 (9-10) Led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Dancourt (8-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
The Which Doctor 6-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 8, 3l behind Tudor Key (8-9) at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol.
The Snatcher (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Prominent on outer, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on well to go 3rd 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Forgotten Voice (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in May.
South Cape 14-1 (10-1) Behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 16, 15l behind Castles In The Air (9-12) at Ascot 7f Ladies Handicap (0-90) (3yo+) (3) gd.
Sunnyside Tom (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon under pressure, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Mount Hadley (9-10) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Wellington Square 4-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway when stumbled approaching 2f out, switched right and stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Victoria Sponge (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Marajaa (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dancourt (8-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Mister Dee Bee (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led 1f, remained in touch, ridden to lead briefly approaching 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Firebet (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Mount Hadley (USA) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leader, challenged over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Sunnyside Tom (10-0) by hd, 11 ran.
Sohcahtoa (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Broad Cairn (8-11) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Eastern Empire 25-1 (8-7) In touch stands side, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 22nd of 30, 16l behind Fareer (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Bold Cross (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Big Noise (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
I Confess 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 5l behind Big Noise (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Salient 16-1 (9-11) Chased leader, driven to challenge 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Romany Princess (10-2) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
More Time Tim (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) With leader, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Bond City (9-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Mull Of Killough (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Firebet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
